ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming

This year’s ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming, typically announced at the League Conference, are postponed so that ASCAP can continue its review of the awards administration and application process. The application process will be announced at a later date still to be determined.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2013-2014 ASACAP Awards! See a full list of winners here!

Applications for the 2014 ASCAP Awards are now closed. The following information is provided for reference only.

The ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming are made up of three award categories: Awards for Contemporary Music, the Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational Programming, and the Award for American Programming on Foreign Tours. Winners of the prestigious John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music and Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming will be selected from applicants to the Awards for Contemporary Music.

Awards for Contemporary Music

Awards for Contemporary Music encourage and recognize programming of orchestral music of our time composed in the past 25 years (1989 and after). Consideration will be given to all orchestras, including collegiate, youth, and festival orchestras.

Category

First Prize

Second Prize

Third Prize

Group 1 Orchestras

$3,000 & plaque

$1,500 & plaque

Plaque

Group 2 Orchestras

$2,000 & plaque

$1,000 & plaque e

Plaque e

Group 3/4 Orchestras

$1,500 & plaque

$750 & plaque

Plaque

Group 5/6 Orchestras

$1,000 & plaque

$500 & plaque e

Plaque

Group 7/8 Orchestras

$750 & plaque

$400 & plaque

Plaque

Collegiate

$500 & plaque

$300 & plaque

Plaque

Youth

$500 & plaque

$300 & plaque

Plaque

Festival

$600 & plaque

$400 & plaque

Plaque

John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American MusicThe John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music will be given to one orchestra whose programming indicates the strongest overall commitment to new American music. The winner of this award will be selected from applicants to the Awards for Contemporary Music. A cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded. The winning orchestra will not be eligible to receive another award.

Morton Gould Award for Innovative ProgrammingThe Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming will be given to one orchestra whose programming indicates extraordinary efforts to expand symphonic repertoire and develop and educate orchestra audiences. Additionally, it honors the orchestra for extraordinary efforts beyond their usual-and-accustomed activity in the area of new music and unusual programming. The winner of this award will be selected from applicants to the Awards for Contemporary Music. A cash prize of $3,000 and plaque will be awarded. The winning orchestra will not be eligible to receive another award.

Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational ProgrammingThe Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational Programming will be given to one orchestra whose educational programs integrate the music of our time and are creative, relevant, and based on the best practices of music education. An orchestra must apply for this award specifically. A cash prize of $3,000 and plaque will be awarded. The winning orchestra will not be eligible to receive another award.

Award for American Programming on Foreign ToursSpecial recognition will be given for exemplary programming of orchestral music by American composers on foreign tours. An orchestra must apply for this award specifically. The recipient of this award will receive a plaque and is eligible to apply for other awards.

EligibilityAll ASCAP-licensed Professional, Youth, Collegiate, and Festival member orchestras of the League of American Orchestras who operate within the United States are invited to apply.

SelectionWinners are selected by an independent, impartial panel and will be notified in April. Judging will be based not only on the number and duration of contemporary works performed but also on the balance and variety of programs, as well as the orchestra’s overall commitment to contemporary music. Special consideration is given to commissioned works and to world, United States, and local premieres.

We reserve the right not to offer an award where there are insufficient applicants that meet the award standard.

Eligible RepertoireApplications may include contemporary orchestral repertoire, composed in 1989 or after, performed on subscription, run-out, tour, family, educational, and festival concerts between June 1, 2013, and May 31, 2014. For the purpose of these awards, orchestral music is defined as works requiring 10 or more players. Arrangements, pops and film music, as well as solo and small chamber works, will not be considered.

How to ApplyAn orchestra may apply for one or all of the awards offered. Download the guidelines here and see application instructions for each category below. The deadline to apply is March 10, 2014.